As we continue our journey with Chapter 17 of Reconnecting Workspaces, I wanted to draw our attention to an important scientific element known as Emotional Contagion. Even in the remote and hybrid spaces, we can be heavily influenced by those around us.
Here’s what I share in Reconnecting Workspaces:
Chapter 17 - Brain tip: EMOTIONAL CONTAGION
There’s a saying that “one bad apple spoils the bunch.” Emotional contagion is a term which
has evolved to describe the impact of emotions on others. It’s been well researched, including by Schachter (1959), Cacioppo and Petty (1987), and Levy and Nail (1993).245
The significance for virtual teams is that emotional contagion spreads across a Zoom room, just as it may in person. Given that our touchpoints are more magnified, the impact of a negative or positive affect may have an even greater impact.
In her article, “Faster than a Speeding Text: ‘Emotional Contagion’ at Work,”246 Sigal Barsade cites her research around emotional contagion in the group context in a study entitled, “The Ripple Effect:Emotional Contagion and Its Influence on Group Behavior.”247
The study found that “the positive emotional contagion group members experienced improved
cooperation, decreased conflict, and increased perceived task performance.”
Barsade writes, “In fact, executives can use their knowledge of the impact of mood contagion to
create more positive team dynamics, increase performance, and decrease turnover by consciously managing their own emotions and the emotions they want to spread.”
Given that the communication and culture of virtual teams can be magnified due to the lack of
ongoing touchpoints, leaders and team members can benefit from becoming more sensitive to the tone and emotion behind their communications and how this can be construed.” – Excerpt, Reconnecting Workspaces, Chapter 17, © Jennifer Britton, 2021
Here’s what I share in Reconnecting Workspaces:
Chapter 17 - Brain tip: EMOTIONAL CONTAGION
There’s a saying that “one bad apple spoils the bunch.” Emotional contagion is a term which
has evolved to describe the impact of emotions on others. It’s been well researched, including by Schachter (1959), Cacioppo and Petty (1987), and Levy and Nail (1993).245
The significance for virtual teams is that emotional contagion spreads across a Zoom room, just as it may in person. Given that our touchpoints are more magnified, the impact of a negative or positive affect may have an even greater impact.
In her article, “Faster than a Speeding Text: ‘Emotional Contagion’ at Work,”246 Sigal Barsade cites her research around emotional contagion in the group context in a study entitled, “The Ripple Effect:Emotional Contagion and Its Influence on Group Behavior.”247
The study found that “the positive emotional contagion group members experienced improved
cooperation, decreased conflict, and increased perceived task performance.”
Barsade writes, “In fact, executives can use their knowledge of the impact of mood contagion to
create more positive team dynamics, increase performance, and decrease turnover by consciously managing their own emotions and the emotions they want to spread.”
Given that the communication and culture of virtual teams can be magnified due to the lack of
ongoing touchpoints, leaders and team members can benefit from becoming more sensitive to the tone and emotion behind their communications and how this can be construed.” – Excerpt, Reconnecting Workspaces, Chapter 17, © Jennifer Britton, 2021
Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized |Reconnecting Workspaces | Group Coaching Essentials
Team and Leadership Development | Coaching | Retreats
Follow us on Instagram @ReconnectingWorkspaces
Phone: (416)996-8326
Check out my TEDx talk
Looking to bring your workplaces back together, whether you are remote, hybrid, or face-to-face? Pick up a copy of my new book, Reconnecting Workspaces, at Amazon.
Potentials Realized |Reconnecting Workspaces | Group Coaching Essentials
Team and Leadership Development | Coaching | Retreats
Follow us on Instagram @ReconnectingWorkspaces
Phone: (416)996-8326
Check out my TEDx talk
Looking to bring your workplaces back together, whether you are remote, hybrid, or face-to-face? Pick up a copy of my new book, Reconnecting Workspaces, at Amazon.
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